10 days in three Balkan countries, in a tour of Bosnia, Serbia and Bulgaria. We explore the 3 capital cities, go swimming in a panoramic waterfall, enjoy tasting a locally produced beer, take a journey through the mountains connecting Bosnia and Serbia with retro train, and visit some ethno villages with highly preserved culinary and lifestyles. We spend a relaxing night in the mountain resort in Zlatibor and visit the vivid capital city, Belgrade. We visit medieval monasteries and enjoy wine tasting in Serbia, before finalizing the tour in Bulgaria. We visit Rila Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in the world and explore the capital city, Sofia, with its vivid atmosphere and cathedral. Tour of Bosnia Serbia
Sarajevo – Sofia Return flight
Sarajevo, War Tunnels, Beer Tasting, Travnik, Jajce, Visegrad, Retro Train in Zlatibor, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Petrovaradin Fortess, Sremski Karlovci, Smederevo, Topola, Oplenac, Nis,Rila Monastery, Sofia
10 Days
All year
Arrival Sarajevo
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free evening and overnight in Sarajevo. Tour of Bosnia Serbia
Sarajevo Tour – War Tunnels – Beer Tasting
In the morning we take the Sarajevo Walking Tour.We reach the old town of Sarajevo where our first stop is Baščaršija square and its most interesting symbol; the fountain Sebilj. We continue further to the Kazandžiluk street and learn about the story of origins of copper and tin industry in Sarajevo.Continuing further through the old town, we stop in Bravadžiluk street; an area where the main restaurants and food shops are located. We use this opportunity to try some local foods, like burek or pita.We visit one of the oldest mosques in Sarajevo, Imperial mosque. Then continue to Gazihusref-beys – a covered market-bazaar built in early 16th century for trading reasons still today serves the original purposeJust bridge further down the Mijacka river, we shall arrive to Atmejdan park, Latin bridge and assassination point of Franz Ferdinand where we learn the origins of the WW1.We then continue to Sarajevo city centre where we see the Cathedral of Sacred Jesus Hearth, The Eternal flame, Clock tower, and the farmers market. Time for lunch before our transfer to the War Tunnels. Tunnel of Hope, which in period of 1993-1995 was the major “blood line” for heavily besieged and destroyed city. At the Tunnel we will see a short movie about the War in Sarajevo and Tunnel, followed by going through the Tunnel itself. At the exhibition part of the museum we have the opportunity to see many interesting exhibits directly connected with Siege of Sarajevo. In the afternoon return to the city, and stop at Sarajevo Brewery which was founded on May 24th, 1864, and historians consider it the oldest industrial plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Relaxing evening with beer tasting. Overnight in Sarajevo.
Sarajevo – Travnik – Jajce – Sarajevo
Today we will visit the central part of Bosnia and its two most beautiful towns. First town is Jajce, the capital of the independent medieval Kingdom of Bosnia, a city of stone, light and water. On the banks of the rivers Pliva and Vrbas we see the royal castle. We then visit the 18-meter high waterfall, place where the river Pliva tumbles abruptly into the Vrbas river. The waterfall is the real trademark of the city. Further visit the medieval Catacombs, located inside the defensive city walls of Jajce are, a monument of particular value and importance. During lunch time we transfer to Travnik, one of the best-preserved cities from Ottoman times. There are 28 protected cultural and historical buildings in this area. The most important of them are: the medieval fortress, built in the 15th century, Jeni mosque, which is the oldest building from the Ottoman period, Sulejmanija or Šarena mosque, Jezuit Grammar School and Elči Ibrahim-Pasha madrassa – Muslim school that is still used today. There are also two clock towers built in the 18th century, as well as a sundial, built-in 1886. In addition, this charming town is known for its lovely small river that we call Plava Voda or Blue Water located right in the city center. In the afternoon return to Sarajevo for dinner and overnight.
Sarajevo – Visegrad – Retro Train – Zlatibor
This morning we transfer towards Serbia. Before we cross the border we visit the small town of Visegrad. Walking tour of Visegrad town, where we hear some details about Bosnia and Hercegnovi history and culture. After the visit we drive back to Serbia, and visit the villages of Drvengrad And Mokra Gora, picturesque mountainous villages hidden between Zlatibor and Tara. The ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden Town), was built by prominent movie director Emir Kusturica. The village, which includes the Mećavnik Hotel, houses, galleries, shops, a cinema and a church, is made of natural materials, mostly wood. Since 2008, the village plays host to the annual Küstendorf Film and Music Festival and Drvengrad has been visited by the likes of Johnny Depp, Monica Belucci, Jim Jarmusch and many others.
After arrival in Mokra Gora we start a unique trip in an old retro train called Šargan Eight. The train travels on the bottom of Šargan Mountain, on a way shaped in the form of number eight; this is why it is called “Šargan eight”. This Journey will take us back in time, while we enjoy the unspoiled mountain sceneries. The train journey lasts 1 hour and stops us in Sargan village. From there, the bus takes us back to the hotel in Zlatibor. Relaxing evening in the wellness center of the hotel, Overnight in Zlatibor.
Zlatibor – Belgrade
Morning transfer to Belgrade, where we arrive during lunch time. We take a city tour to explore the capital of Serbia – one of the oldest cities in Europe, where we’ll see one of the most important sights of Belgrade – Saint Sava Temple, one of the biggest orthodox temples on the Balkans, the National Serbian Library, city center and Slavija Square, St. Mark Church and the Serbian Parliament Building, Republic Square, the National Theatre and National Museum. A walk through the always lively Knez Mihailo Street, main walking and shopping zone. The tour will end at Kalemegdan, the most important cultural-historic complex of the city. In the Kalemegdan Park, on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube, the Belgrade Fortress raises proudly, and is the witness of the tumultuous history of this ancient city. Overnight in Belgrade.
Belgrade – 2021 European Capital of Culture Novi Sad – Petrovaradin Fortess – Rural Lunch in an ethno village – Wine Tasting in Sremski Karlovci – Belgrade
This morning we transfer towards Vojvodina region, one of the most panoramic sites of Serbia, to visit 2 of the most beautiful cities of the region: Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci. Along the way we stop in the Krušedol Monastery. Further we reach Novi Sad, the 2021 European Capital of Culture, where we enjoy the walking tour in the city center, passing through The City Hall, The Cathedral, Assembly of Vojvodina, shopping zone with restaurants and coffee-shops. We continue to visit the Fortress of Petrovaradin, the so-called ‘Danube’s Gibraltar’, where the fortress is located. At the fortress, we will see the clock tower, old fortress walls, and have great views over the Danube, including the many bridges spanning the river. We stop for lunch in an ethno village, with authentic farm houses still in use today, who offer traditional menus in a traditional setting. In the afternoon we start our return transfer towards Belgrade. Along the way we stop for a visit of Sremski Karlovci, a city of vineyards, rich in culture and history. Sremski Karlovci feels like a ‘museum town’ with its Baroque centre, the Patriarchal Court, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the first Serbian secondary school (gymnasium). It is also famous for wine production and the town’s annual Wineball festival. We visit a local winery and enjoy degustation of wines. Dinner and overnight in Belgrade.
Belgrade – Smederevo – Topola and Oplenac Hill – Nis
Morning transfer to the town of Smederovo. It used to keep guard of Roman Empire’s borders, and later on the main roads of Constantinople passed next to it. Further, we reach the small town of Topola, where we will visit the Karadjordje’s Konak and the old church. We will climb to the Oplenac hill, a beautiful green area covered with wood, where is located the St. George church, built in the 20th century, as a house of prayer for all the members of the Serbian Royal family. The church has Byzantine style, with five domes and completely covered with white marble. We’ll also visit Petar’s House, the Museum of the Karađorđević family, palace, Royal vineyards and the Winery. Next we enjoy some wine degustation and visit of the cellars. In the afternoon reach the city of Nis, where we will spend the overnight.
Nis – Sofia
This morning we transfer to Bulgaria, where we will spend the next overnights. We take the city tour of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. The tour will include the most important sites of Sofia, such as Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which the biggest one in Bulgaria, the Holy Synod, St. Sophia Church, National Gallery for Foreign Art, National Library, National Palace of Culture, Borisova Garden, Eagle’s Bridge, Council of Ministers, Banya Bashi Mosque, St. Nedelya – an old metropolitan church, and the National Assembly Square. Dinner and overnight in Sofia.
Excursion to Rila Monastery
This morning we drive to the Rila Monastery – the biggest and most important symbol of Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Monastery has been founded in the 10-th century and rebuilt in 13-th and 14-th centuries. It is one of Europe’s oldest and included in UNESCO’S list in 1983. Behind the 20 meters walls lie impressive monastery buildings, a church and a chapel with valuable murals.
In the afternoon, return to Sofia, for a free evening and farewell dinner.
Sofia – Return flight
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for the return flight.